Why or how is suicide sinful? (moral, tradition, doctrine, church)

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by Stairs In My House

We can look at the devastated friends and family and say that this was an action that hurt others. I am comfortable saying that the act itself is unquestionably wrong in any circumstance I can think of (yes, I'm leaving a loophole, I always do when it comes to morality). However, I am also willing to temper that judgment with the understanding that the person committing suicide may have been in a state where he or she could not judge right from wrong. So I am comfortable judging the act, but not the person who commits it.

In all of this I am speaking strictly in terms of human morality. Neither sin nor karma are part of my personal belief system so I can't really address those.

I was taught early on that about suicide (I wish I could find that video the school showed us..) that the pain doesn't end with the person dying, but that it's transferred to the people who loved them. I can't deny that, and would be very stupid of me to try. But I still have a lot of trouble saying that it was flat out wrong, I have trouble saying that about anything for that matter.

[love]

It is told in my area that you can,t ask for forgiveness once you are dead. Again, does God know your heart? Is there a good reason to leave you family and loved ones behind in a rush for paradise, or hell if you're so desperate you don't care.
To deprive your loved ones of your love, your companionship, your wisdom and experiences in this life cannot be pleasing to God

For those who believe that no one loves them, the sun never sets on all of Chirstians, Muslims, or the Jews of this world and their God (not to be confused with their religion) commands them to love their neighbor, and help them if they can.

[Victor]

This is what I think about it:

2281 Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God.

[kiwimac]

Suicide is a decision that only the person involved can decide is wrong or right. It depends on a subjective feeling of just how awful their life is and how awful it wil continue to be.

I cannot and will not condemn suicide, people in that situation (and their families left behind) need compassion not condemnation.

[Victor]

Originally Posted by kiwimac

Suicide is a decision that only the person involved can decide is wrong or right. It depends on a subjective feeling of just how awful their life is and how awful it wil continue to be.

I cannot and will not condemn suicide, people in that situation (and their families left behind) need compassion not condemnation.

I could show such compassion only if they were alive.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by Victor

I could show such compassion only if they were alive.

But the families left behind need compassion too, and all too often they are condemned/blamed for what the victim does.

[Ori]

Well as someone who has thought a lot about this subject, I can understand both sides of the argument and at the end of the day, people will do what they want.

[Victor]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

But the families left behind need compassion too, and all too often they are condemned/blamed for what the victim does.

They wouldn't need any compassion if the victim wouldn't kill him/herself.

[ch'ang]

Originally Posted by Mike182

for me, it depends upon the suicide. if you have been driven to self harming because of bullying, then any sin there is lies on the bully/bullies. i would say suicide is a more drastic form of self harm if it was caused by bullying. i'm not saying people should not take responsibility for their own actions, it's just that in this case, let's put the blame where it truly is.

self harm or suicide/attempted suicide for attention is drastic, and the person needs to seek professional help, but morally i would say that although this is selfish, and would bring the karmic repercussions that grossly selfish acts bring, it is nothing more than that.

suicide or attempted suicide where the peson believes their death is of benefit to those around them, that others will be better off without them, are not being selfish in my opinion, but are just very misguided. if they survive their attempt, hopefully they will recieve help. if they don't survive their attempt, i see no reason for them to be turned away from what i believe to be the after life, because i don't see this person as being grossly selfish.

Yes you are